Exaust gas clean-up catalyst

ABSTRACT

Exhaust gas clean-up catalysts that contain one or two or more noble metals chosen from the group platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), Iridium (), osmium (Os) and other noble metals and one, two or more metal oxides chosen from the group tungsten (W), niobium b) and molybdenum (Mo) oxides, and which can also contain the metal oxide(s) ceria and/or zirconia if necessary, are especially useful for cleaning up hydrocarbons in exhaust gases.

[0001] This invention relates to exhaust gas clean-up catalysts for cleaning the exhaust gas discharged from fuel combustion engines, for example internal combustion engine and combustion engines, and to methods of exhaust gas clean-up using the catalysts.

[0002] Three-way catalysts capable of simultaneously reducing the levels of hydrocarbon (HC), nitrogen oxides (NO_(x)) and carbon monoxide (CO) have been under development for practical application as catalysts for exhaust gas clean-up since the 1970s. Such catalysts are described for example in Japan Patent Kokai No. 60-54730 and Japan Patent Kokai No. 61-11147. A three-way catalyst converts the reducing components (HC, CO, H₂) and oxidising components (NO_(x), O₂) in exhaust gas to harmless components (H₂O, CO₂, N₂) by redox reaction at a near theoretical fuel-air ration (λ˜1).

[0003] At the relatively low temperatures prevailing directly after start-up of a fuel combustion engine, however, even a three-way catalyst has low activity, making it difficult to clean up the noxious components from the exhaust gas. As a method of quickly raising the activity of three-way catalysts, therefore, in-line catalyst, systems combining in-line catalysts and underfloor catalysts, electrically heated catalysts, burner heated catalysts and adsorbents have heretofore been used, but for reasons including catalyst location, increase in cost, reduction in fuel consumption, and durability, the problem still remains to be solved.

[0004] Catalysts with low temperature activity have been under development that have high catalytic capability enabling effective clean-up of exhaust gas in the low temperature region directly after start-up of fuel combustion engines without recourse to the aforementioned indirect devices or techniques of raising the active capability of the catalyst. For example, catalysts whereby the nitrogen oxides (NO_(x)) in exhaust gas can be cleaned up at low temperature are disclosed in the specifications of Japan Patent Kokai No. 6-190276, Japan Patent Kokai No. 6-198178 and Japan Patent Kokai No. 6-262079. Similarly, catalysts capable of cleaning up hydrocarhons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) at low temperature are disclosed in Japan Patent Kokai No. 7-204510.

[0005] Although these prior art catalysts have been improved or modified to meet the aim of cleaning up exhaust gas, room for improvement exists in that they have low oxidising activity in respect of saturated hydrocarbons; in particular, they have not afforded sufficient clean-up capability at low temperature prevailing directly after start-up of fuel combustion engines.

[0006] The inventors have found a catalysts containing specified elements and compounds were adequately capable of cleaning up exhaust gas at the low temperatures prevailing directly after start-up of fuel combustion engines. In particular, the inventors discovered catalysts with low temperature activity that afforded outstanding clean-up of the hydrocarbons, especially the saturated hydrocarbons, in the exhaust gas evolved in the low temperature region directly after start-up of fuel combustion engines.

[0007] The aim of the invention is accordingly to provide catalysts with low temperature activity whereby the exhaust gas evolved in the low temperature region directly after start-up of fuel combustion engines can be satisfactorily cleaned up.

[0008] The exhaust gas clean-up catalysts used in the invention to clean the exhaust gas from fuel combustion engines are catalysts containing one or two or more noble metals chosen from the group platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), osmium (Os) and other noble metals, and one or two or more metals or metal oxides chosen from the group tungsten (W), niobium (Nb) and molybdenum (Mo) oxides.

[0009] The exhaust gas clean-up catalysts in the invention can also contain the metal oxide(s) ceria and/or zirconia.

[0010] The invention further comprises exhaust gas cleanup catalyst wherein the aforesaid catalysts are supported on one or two or more metal oxides chosen from the group alumina, silica, titania and zironia.

[0011] The catalyst compositions in the invention use one or two or more metals and/or metal oxides chosen from the group tungsten (W), niobium (Nb) and molybdenum (Mo) and/or their oxides.

[0012] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, catalysts containing one or two or more metal oxides chosen from the group tungsten (W), niobium (Nb) and molybdenum (Mo).

[0013] On inclusion of these oxides in alumina or zirconia, catalyst acidity promoting dissociative adsorption of hydrocarbons, and it may be supposed that the oxides contribute to the oxidation of hydrocarbons as a result thereof. Development of acidity is especially prominent with tungsten oxide because it complexes with alumina and zirconia, and tungsten oxide is therefore especially preferred.

[0014] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the content of tungsten (W), niobium (Nb) and molybdenum (Mo) in the catalyst is in the approximate range 0.5-20 wt %, preferably 1.5-15 wt %, as the amount of metal with respect to the whole catalyst. With a loading in the approximate range 0.5-20 wt %, catalyst efficacy can be fully displayed and the problem of saturation of the additive effect does not arise.

[0015] The metal oxide(s) ceria and/or zirconia can be used in the catalyst compositions of the invention.

[0016] Ceria has oxygen storage capability and can stabilise catalyst performance when deviations in fuel/air ratio occur close to the theoretical fuel/air ratio. Ceria can also confer durability on the noble metals comprising the catalytic composition.

[0017] Zirconia can increase the heat-resistance of tungsten (W), niobium (Nb) and molybdenum (Mo) as well as that of ceria. Moreover, acidity can be further raised by complexing with tungsten, etc., and we expect this strong acidity to afford improvement in the heat resistance of noble metal.

[0018] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, exhaust gas clean-up catalysts wherein the metal oxide(s) ceria and/or zirconia and the one or two or more metal oxides chosen from the group tungsten (w), niobium (Nb) and molybdenum (Mo) oxides constitute a compound oxide are preferred.

[0019] Catalysts of preferred heat resistance can be formulated by constituting a compound oxide. Although the actual structure and action of the aforesaid compound oxide are not fully understood, the inventors suppose that in a compound oxide of tungsten oxide and zirconia, for example, the crystallites of tungsten oxide are mutually isolated by zirconia crystallites, hindering sintering and thereby improving heat-resistance.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a compound oxide of ceria, a compound oxide of a ceria-zirconium mixture, and preferably a compound oxide of zirconia, with the oxide(s) of tungsten (W), niobium (Nb) and molybdenum (Mo) is used in the catalyst composition.

[0021] Compound oxides wherein zirconia has been added to oxides of tungsten (W), niobium (Nb) and molybdenum (Mo) have excellent capacity for cleaning saturated hydrocarbons from exhaust gas by oxidation, especially under relatively low temperature conditions. In particular, significant low temperature activity is displayed under conditions where the carbon monoxide concentration in the exhaust gas is 0.5% or less.

[0022] The noble metals have long been used as metals constituting three-way catalysts. In the catalyst compositions of the invention a single metal or a mixture of two or more of the metals can be used. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the use of platinum (Pt) is preferred. For a noble metal, platinum (Pt) has outstanding saturated hydrocabon clean-up capability under low temperature conditions.

[0023] One or two or more metal oxides chosen from the group alumina, silica, titania and zirconium and their mixtures can be used as the support in the catalyst compositions of the invention. The compositions so constituted are used both to stabilise the active components of the catalyst and to raise clean-up performance by increasing the area of contact with the exhaust gas. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is preferred to use alumina as the support.

[0024] Although the exhaust gas clean-up catalysts of the invention require the use of the aforesaid catalyst compositions, the catalysts may contain other optional components within the limits of adherence to the spirit of the invention.

[0025] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the exhaust gas clean-up catalyst can be produced using conventional catalyst manufacturing technology, suitably by adding optional components as necessary to the catalyst components (wash coat) containing tungsten oxide and ceria and/or zirconia, and then supporting platinum thereon.

[0026] Any method may be used to add tungsten oxide. Moreover, the order of addition is optional; for example, the addition maybe made at the same time as, before, or after the addition of platinum, the addition may be made along with the alumina and/or zirconia, or the addition may be made after complexing tungsten oxide with zirconia.

[0027] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the exhaust gas clean-up catalyst can be produced by forming the catalyst composition as an oxide solely by calcination in air, without recourse to reductive treatment at any stage of catalyst preparation. The salts or compounds of tungsten and zirconium used in catalyst production are thermally decomposed by calcination in air, facilitating uniform mixing with other catalyst components in the course of combination with oxygen in the air. Moreover, the production flowchart can be greatly simplified since calcination in special atmospheres other than air, for reductive treatment or the like, is unnecessary.

[0028] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, a method of exhaust gas clean-up and exhaust gas clean-up apparatus are preferred wherein the exhaust gas is treated in the channel through which the which the exhaust gas from the fuel combustion engine discharges, first with an exhaust gas clean-up catalyst excellent for oxidation of carbon monoxide and unsaturated hydrocarbons, disposed within the exhaust gas channel, and then with the exhaust gas clean-up catalysts claimed for the invention, disposed at the same location as or rearward of the location of the said catalyst.

[0029] By pretreating the carbon monoxide and unsaturated hydrocarbons present in the exhaust gas with an exhaust gas cleanup catalyst excellent for oxidation, it is possible to prevent the negative effects of a high concentration of carbon monoxide, for example poisoning of platinum metals; the saturated hydrocarbons can then be effectively cleaned up in the low temperature region by means of an exhaust gas clean-up catalyst of the invention located rearward.

[0030] A catalyst containing one or more metals chosen from the group comprising palladium, rhodium, together with ceria may be cited as an example of the exhaust gas clean-up catalyst excellent for oxidation of carbon monoxide and unsaturated hydrocarbons that is used in the invention.

[0031] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is preferred to use an exhaust gas clean-up catalyst wherein, to prevent the negative effects of carbon monoxide, the exhaust gas clean-up catalyst of the invention is supported in a lower layer or upper layer, and an exhaust gas clean-up catalyst with a high capability for removal of carbon monoxide and unsaturated hydrocarbons is supported in the upper layer or lower layer on the same support (for example a honeycomb support), or a mixture thereof.

[0032] The catalyst is then able to remove carbon monoxide from exhaust gas with high efficiency, while the saturated hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas can be removed efficiently and effectively with the exhaust gas clean-up catalyst of the invention disposed at the same location or located rearward.

[0033] The exhaust gas clean-up apparatus of the invention comprises apparatus for cleaning up the exhaust gas from fuel combustion engines wherein the exhaust gas clean up catalyst of the invention and, if necessary, an exhaust gas clean-up catalyst that removes carbon monoxide and unsaturated hydrocarbons by oxidation are disposed in the path of the exhaust gas outflow. As a practical embodiment of the invention, the exhaust gas clean-up catalyst of the invention can be used as an in-line catalyst, in-line/underfloor catalyst, electrically heated catalyst or burner catalyst for reducing the hydrocarbon level of the exhaust gas at low temperature. It is also possible to use a combination of hydrocarbon adsorbents, etc., and the aforesaid forms of catalyst.

[0034] “Fuel combustion engine” here means an engine that generates energy by burning fuel, irrespective of whether described as an internal combustion engine, an external combustion engine or by another term. “Exhaust gas” means the gas formed by the fuel combustion engine after fuel combustion and includes incompletely burned or sunburned fuel gas. “Saturated hydrocarbons” denotes hydrocarbons that do not have double bonds between carbon atoms. The term includes, for example, ethane, propane and isobutane.

[0035] The working examples shown below describe the invention in further detail.

[0036] Accordingly, the said examples are no more than simple illustrations presented to facilitate understanding of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

[0037] Cerium oxide powder was added to commercial alumina powder (BET specific surface area 200 m ²/g) and mixed therewith so that cerium oxide constituted 50 wt % of the total mixture. A slurry was made by adding water and acetic acid to the mixed powder and milling the mixture in a ball mill for 1 hour. A core of diameter 1 inch, length 3 cm, drilled from a commercial 400 cpsi cordicrite honeycomb was dipped in the slurry. On withdrawal of the core, the excess slurry was removed with an air gun and the core was dried for 30 min at 105° C. and then calcined for 1 hour at 500° C. The amount of slurry deposited was 110 g per liter of cordierite honeycomb after calcination.

[0038] An ammonium tungstate solution was prepared such that, based on the water absorption of the cordierite honeycomb, tungsten 4.5 wt % as metal component could be loaded with respect to the amount of slurry exclusive of the said core. The core on which the slurry had been deposited was dipped in the solution and on withdrawal of the core the excess solution was removed with an air gun and the core was dried for 30 min at 105° C. and then calcined for 1 hour at 500° C.

[0039] A solution of [Pt(NH₃)₄]Cl₂ was then prepared such that, based on the water absorption of the cordierte honeycomb, 5.3 g of platinum (Pt) could be loaded per liter of cercordierite honeycomb. The said core supporting tungsten was dipped in the solution and on withdrawal of the core the excess solution was removed with an air gun, and the core was dried for 30 min at 105° C. and then calcined for 1 hour at 500° C.

[0040] A catalyst 1 containing tungsten was thereby obtained.

EXAMPLE 2

[0041] A catalyst was prepared by the same procedure as in Example 1 except that, in the step wherein tungsten was supported on the core whereon slurry had been deposited in Example 1, ammonium tungstate was replaced with niobium oxalate and the niobium loading was 23 wt %.

[0042] A catalyst 2 containing niobium was thereby obtained.

EXAMPLE 3

[0043] A catalyst was prepared by the same procedure as in Example 1 except that, in the step wherein tungsten was supported on the core whereon slurry had been deposited in Example 1, ammonium tungstate was replaced with ammonium molybdate and the molybdenum loading was 2.3 wt %.

[0044] A catalyst 3 containing molybdenum was by obtained

EXAMPLE 4

[0045] A catalyst was prepared by the same procedure as in Example 1 except that, in the step wherein tungsten was supported on the core whereon slurry had been deposited in Example 1, the lngse loading was 1.5 wt %.

[0046] A catalyst 4 containing tungsten was thereby obtained.

EXAMPLE 5

[0047] A catalyst was prepared by the same procedure as in Example 1 except that, in the step wherein tungsten was supported on the core whereon slurry had been deposited in Example 1, the tungsten loading was 3.0 wt %.

[0048] A catalyst 5 containing tungsten was thereby obtained.

EXAMPLE 6

[0049] A catalyst was prepared by the same procedure as in Example 1 except that, in the step wherein tungsten was supported on the core whereon slurry had been deposited in Example 1, the tungsten loading 10 wt %.

[0050] A catalyst 6 containing tungsten was thereby obtained.

EXAMPLE 7

[0051] A catalyst was prepared by the same procedure as in Example 1 except that, in the step wherein tungsten was supported on the core whereon slurry had been deposited in Example 1, the tungsten loading was 15 wt %.

[0052] A catalyst 7 containing tungsten was thereby obtained.

EXAMPLE 8

[0053] Cerium oxide powder and commercial alumina powder (BET specific surface area 200 m^(2/)g) were mixed with a tungsten-zirconia compound oxide (W-ZrO₂) containing tungsten 4 mol % to give a weight ratio of the respective powders of 3:2:2. A slurry was made by adding water and acetic acid to the mixed powder and milling the mixture in a ball mill for 1 hour. A core of diameter 1 inch, length 3 cm, drilled from a commercial 400 cpsi cordierite honeycomb was dipped in the slurry. On withdrawal of the core, the excess slurry was removed with an air gun and the core was dried for 30 min at 105° C. and then calcined for 1 hour at 500° C. The amount of slurry deposited was 210 g per liter of cordierite honeycomb after calcination.

[0054] A solution of [Pt(NH₃)₄]Cl₂ was then prepared such that, based on the water absorption of the cordierite honeycomb, 5.3 g of platinum (Pt) could be loaded per liter of cordierite honeycomb. The core whereon slurry had been deposited was dipped in the solution and on withdrawal of the core the excess solution was removed with an air gun and the core was dried for 30 min at 105° C. and the calcined for 1 hour at 500° C.

[0055] A catalyst 8 containing tungsten-zirconia compound oxide was thereby obtained.

[0056] The tungsten-zirconia compound oxide was produced as follows. Sufficient ammonium tungstate solution was added to commercial zirconium hydroxide containing 80% water to give a ten content of 4 mol % and the mixture was heated with stirring to evaporate the water. The material was then dried for 30 min at 105° C. and calcined in an electric furnace for 2 hours at 500° C. to obtain tungsten-zirconium compound oxide.

EXAMPLE 9

[0057] A catalyst was prepared by the same procedure as in example 8 except that the cerium oxide powder in Example 8 was omitted. Catalyst 9 was thereby obtained. The amount of slurry deposited before loading with platinum in the catalyst preparation sequence was 150 g per liter of cordierite honeycomb after calcination.

EXAMPLE 10

[0058] A palladium nitrate solution was prepared to give an ultimate content of palladium of 10 wt % deposited on commercial alumina (BET specific surface area 200 m²/g). The alumina was loaded with palladium by mixing with the palladium nitrate solution. The material was then dried for 30 min at 105° C. and then calcined in an electric furnace for 2 hours at 500° C. A slurry was prepared by adding water and atc acid to the alumina contain palladium and milling the for 1 hour in a ball mill.

[0059] The slurry was coated as a second layer on the surface of the Catalyst 1 obtained in Example 1. The catalyst thus coated was dried for 30 min at 105° C. and then calcined for 1 hour at 500° C. The amount of slurry in the second layer was 35 g per liter of cordierite honeycomb. A catalyst 10 with a double layer structure comprising a platinum catalyst containing tungsten in the first layer and a catalyst containing palladium in the second layer was thereby obtained.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE A

[0060] A catalyst was prepared by the same procedure as in Example 1 except that loading with tungsten was omitted. A comparative catalyst A was thereby obtained.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE B

[0061] A catalyst was prepared by the same procedure as in Example 10 except that loading with tungsten was omitted. A comparative catalyst B was thereby obtained.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE C

[0062] A catalyst was prepared by the same procedure as in Example 9 except that the tungsten-zirconia compound oxide in example 9 was replaced with the corresponding amount of alumina. A comparative catalyst C containing only alumina and platinum was thereby obtained.

METHODS OF EVALUATION High Temperature Treatment

[0063] Using an electric oven wherein the outside of a silica tube through which gas could be passed had been surrounded with an electrical heater, the catalyst core was mounted in the tube and raised to the specified treatment temperature in a nitrogen atmosphere. Gas mixtures respectively providing a reducing atmosphere (hydrogen 6 vol % +water vapour 10 vol % +nitrogen 84 vol %) and an oxidising atmosphere (oxygen 3 vol % +water vapour 10% +nitrogen 87 vol %) were passed for 10 min each at that temperature to complete 1 cycle and the cycle was repeated for 20 hours. The total flow rate was 3 liter/min and the treatment temperatures were set at 700° C. or 900° C.

Actdivty Test Method

[0064] The core of prepared catalyst was mounted in a conventional flow reactor so that gas could not by-pass the core. The reactant gas composition 3 shown in Table 1 hereunder was first maintained for 15 min at 500° C. and the temperature was then lowered to not more than 90° C. in a nitrogen atmosphere. Thereafter, the specified gas compositions shown in Table 1 hereunder were admitted to the flow reactor, the temperaturue of the electric oven was raised at a rate of 25° C. per min and the gas composition at the catalyst exit was determined; in addition, the clean-up rate was calculated in accordance with the following formula for each of the components as required.

[0065] Clean-up (%)=100×(inlet propane concentration-exit propane concentration)/inlet propane concentration. TABLE 1 Reactant Gas Composition Composition Composition Composition Composition Gas 1 2 3 4 CO (%) 0.0 0.2 0.5 0.0 O₂ (%) 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 H₂ (%) 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.67 NO (ppm) 500 500 500 500 C₃H₈ (ppm) 1200 1200 1200 1200 CO₂ (%) 14 14 14 14 H₂O (%) 10 10 10 10 N₂ (%) balance balance balance balance

[0066] The following Table 2 shows the results of activity tests carried out to compare the performance of the catalysts produced in the Examples of the Invention and Comparative Examples before high temperature. It will be seen from Table 2 that the Catalysts 1-7 of the invention have a high propane clean-up capability compared with the Comparative catalyst A.

[0067] To evaluate the propane ignition characteristic of the catalyst (the temperature at which the catalyst starts to function), the temperature at which the propane clean-up rate reaches 50% was recorded as T₅₀. The value thereof was used to evaluate catalyst performance. TABLE 2 Results of Reaction before High Temperature Treatment W (wt %) Nb (%) Mo (%) Gas composition T₅₀ (° C.) Catalyst 1 4.5 0 0 Composition 1 309 Catalyst 2 0 2.3 0 Composition 1 350 Catalyst 3 0 0 2.3 Composition 1 310 Catalyst 4 1.5 0 0 Composition 1 339 Catalyst 5 3.0 0 0 Composition 1 319 Catalyst 6 10 0 0 Composition 1 330 Catalyst 7 15 0 0 Composition 1 340 Comparitive 0 0 0 Composition 1 362 catalyst A

[0068] The following Table 3 shows the results of activity tests carried out to compare the performance of the catalyst produced in the Examples and Comparative Examples after high temperature treatment at 700° C. It will be seen from Table 3 that the Catalysts 1-3 containing W, Nb or Mo as claimed for the invention retain high propane clean-up capability compared with Comparative catalyst A after high temperature treatment. TABLE 3 Results of Tests after High Temperature Treatment at 700° C. Gas W (wt %) Nb (%) Mo (%) Composition T₅₀ (° C.) Catalyst 1 4.5 0 0 Composition 1 292 Catalyst 2 0 2.3 0 Composition 1 310 Catalyst 3 0 0 2.3 Composition 1 307 Comparative 0 0 0 Composition 1 319 catalyst A

[0069] The following Table 4 shows the results of activity tests carried out to compare the performance of the catalyst as produced in the examples and Comparative Examples after high temperature treatment at 900° C. It will be seen from Table 4 that the Catalysts 1 and 4-9 of the invention high propane clean-up capability compared with Comparative catalyst. A after high temperature treatment. TABLE 4 Results of Tests after High Temperature Treatment 900° C. W Gas (wt %) W—XrO₂ CeO₂ composition T₅₀ (° C.) Catalyst 4 1.5 — — Composition 1 317 Catalyst 5 3.0 — — Composition 1 311 Catalyst 1 4.5 — — Composition 1 313 Catalyst 6 10 — — Composition 1 320 Catalyst 7 15 — — Composition 1 335 Catalyst 8 — present present Composition 1 319 Catalyst 9 — present present Composition 1 313 Comparative 0 absent present Composition 1 340 example A

[0070] The following Table 5 shows the results of activity tests carried out to compare the effect of carbon monoxide concentration on the catalyst produced in the Examples and Comparative Examples after high temperature treatment at 900° C. It will be seen from Table 5 that, compared with the Comparative catalysts A to C, the Catalyst 9 of the invention increases its propane clean-up capability with decrease in carbon monoxide concentration even after high temperature treatment (900° C.). H₂ CO Gas concentration concentration T₅₀ composition (%) (%) (° C.) Catalyst 9 Composition 2 0.17 0.2 289 Catalyst 9 Composition 3 0.17 0.5 303 Catalyst 9 Composition 4 0.67 0.0 233 Comparative Composition 2 0.17 0.2 305 catalyst A Comparative Composition 3 0.17 0.5 288 catalyst A Comparative Composition 4 0.67 0.0 260 catalyst A Comparative Composition 2 0.17 0.2 319 catalyst C Comparative Composition 3 0.17 0.5 331 catalyst C Comparative Composition 4 0.67 0.0 273 catalyst C

[0071] The following Table 6 shows the results of activity tests carried out after high temperature treatment at 900° C. to compare the performance of the catalysts with a double layer structure produced in Example 10 and the Comparative example B. It will be seen from Table 6 that the propane clean-up capability of the Catalyst 10 of the invention increases in the low temperature region compared with the Comparative catalyst B, even after high temperature treatment (900° C.). TABLE 6 Test Results after High Temperture Treatment at 900° C. Gas composition W T₅₀ (° C.) Catalyst 10 Composition 3 present 316 Comparative Composition 3 absent 345 catalyst B

[0072] It will be clear from the foregoing examples that, compared with the comparative catalysts the exhaust gas clean-up catalysts claimed for the invention containing oxides of tungsten, niobium and molybdenum as additives are capable of cleaning up saturated hydrocarbons from exhaust gas by oxidation as the carbon monoxide concentration decreases, notwithstanding low temperatures. Moreover, the exhaust gas clean-up catalysts of the invention have outstanding heat-resistance and are able to remove saturated hydrocarbons efficiently irrespective of whether or not they contain the ceria component heretofore used. Furthermore, the benefit of the additive can be elicited by locating a palladium catalyst capable of removing carbon monoxide in the upper layer of the catalyst. 

1. Exhaust gas clean-up catalyst for cleaning the exhaust gas from fuel combustion engines, containing one or two or more noble metals chosen from the group platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir), osmium (Os) and other noble metals, and one, two or more metals or metal oxides chosen from the group tungstem (W), niobium (Nb) and molybdenum (Mo) metals and their oxides.
 2. The exit gas clean-up catalysts according to claim 1, comprising the metal oxide(s) ceria and/or zirconia.
 3. The exhaust gas clean-up catalysts according to claim 2, wherein the one or two or more metal oxides chosen from the group tungsten (W), niobium (Nb) and molybdenum (Mo) oxides and the metal oxide(s) ceria and/or zirconia comprise a compound oxide.
 4. Th exhaust gas clean-up catalysts according to any of claims 1 to 3, supported on one or two or more metal oxide chosen from the group alumina, silica, titania and zirconia.
 5. The exhaust gas clean-up catalysts according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the content of the one or two or more metal oxides chosen from the group tungsten (W), niobium (Nb) and molybdeum (Mo) oxides is 0.5-20 wt % with respect to the whole catalyst.
 6. The exhaust gas clean-up catalysts according to claim 5, wherein the content of the one or two or more metal oxides chosen from the group tungsten (W), niobium (Nb) and molybdenum (Mo) oxides is 1.5-15 wt % with respect to the whole catalyst.
 7. Exhaust gas clean-up catalysts wherein the exhaust gas clean-up catalysts according to any one of claims 1 to 6 are supported in a lower layer or upper layer, and an exhaust gas clean-up catalyst having good activity for the oxidation of carbon monoxide and unsaturated hydrocarbons is supported in the upper layer or lower layer, respectively.
 8. A method of exhaust gas clean-up, wherein the exhaust gas from fuel combustion engines is treated with the exhaust gas clean-up catalysts according to any one of claims 1 to
 7. 9. A method of exhaust gas clean-up wherein the exhaust gas is treated in the channel through which the exhaust gas from the fuel combustion engine discharges first with an exhaust gas clean-up catalyst excellent for the oxidation of carbon monoxide and unsaturated hydrocarbons, disposed within the exhaust gas channel, and then with the exhaust gas clean-up catalysts according to any one of claims 1 to 7, disposed at the same location as or rearward of the location of the aforesaid catalyst.
 10. The method of exhaust gas clean-up according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the exhaust gas comprises saturated hydrocarbons.
 11. Exhaust gas clean-up apparatus comprising the exhaust gas clean-up catalysts according to any one of claims 1 to
 7. 12. A process for production of the exhaust gas clean-up catalysts according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the catalyst composition is converted to an oxide solely by calcination in air without reductive treatment of the composition in any of the catalyst preparation steps. 